Pitchers
Top Tier
David Price: You could easily slot Mike Foltynewicz into the top spot, but given the wide price gap between him and Price I’m completely comfortable taking the savings. Price has been solid over the last month sporting a 3.59 SIERA, 23% strikeouts and 4% walks. I’m not a huge BvP guy as you know, but Price has shredded this Rays lineup owning a 28% strikeout rate and allowing just an 81 aEV against them in just under 100 plate appearances. He also sits currently as a -200 favorite in Vegas, and should be popular at his sub-$10,000 price tag on DraftKings. I’d like to pivot up to Folty in GPPs, but in cash games you can’t go wrong with Mr. Price.
Mid Tier
Zack Godley: Godley figures to be the clear chalk tonight in a matchup with the San Diego Padres especially when factoring in his recent form. Over the last month, Godley owns a sparkling 3.29 SIERA along with 27% strikeouts and 13% swinging-strikes. The Fathers have some pop against lefties, but they have almost zero threat against righties given their lack of left-handed power and huge strikeout tendency. In tournaments you can always fade the chalk, but for cash games I see no reason to get off Godley.
Low Tier
Jefry Rodriguez- I would of featured Tommy Milone in this section, but since he was scratched we will go with his replacement in Jefry Rodriguez. JRod struggled in his limited time with the Nationals this season, but his minors numbers show he has some potential including an absolutely electric fastball. I’m more concerned with the minimum price and matchup with the Miami Marlins, however. He threw 99 pitches in his last start in the minors so he should be able to go as long as the Nationals want him to tonight and at this price/matchup he is worth a look.
Batters
Top Tier: Mookie Betts- I’m wondering if the Red Sox will go semi-overlooked on this slate and it definitely makes me want to get exposure to their offense via Mookie Betts. Tyler Glasnow has looked strong for the Rays since coming over from Pittsburgh and I’m actually pretty confident they can correct some of the issues plaguing this former top prospect. However, that doesn’t change that the Red Sox are the best offense in the MLB against RHP and he still can struggle to find the strike zone at any point. Betts has arguably the highest upside in MLB DFS and is always a cash game anchor.
Mid Tier: Trea Turner- Turner is simply too cheap for me on DraftKings tonight and is a near lock for cash games. He’s priced at $4,400 despite a matchup with Wei-Yin Chen who has been victimized by right-handers this season especially on the road. Chen is allowing over a .400 wOBA away from Miami this season and that is part of why the Nationals own a huge 5.6 implied run total. Factor in the speed upside Turner provides and you have your cash game shortstop for Saturday night.
Low Tier: Logan Forsythe- Forsythe has been a cash game staple for me this week with the Twins seeing a string of bad pitchers and that continues tonight against Ryan Carpenter and a terrible Tigers bullpen. Forsythe’s numbers against southpaws look disgustingly bad, but he has a valuable spot in the Twins order and a 41% hard-hit rate over the last 14 days.
Tournament Stack of the Day
1. Nationals: I noted above how bad Chen has been on the road this season, specifically against righties. We mainly want the RHH here, but I feel inclined to include Bryce/Soto if stacking this team given their power upside. I’ll be focusing on Trea Turner, Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper and Juan Soto but it’s also contingent on the lineup that the Nats roll out.
2. Twins: While Ryan Carpenter doesn’t sound like a real pitcher, I assure you he is and he is flat our terrible. The Twins have one of the least sexy DFS lineups in the MLB right now, but I’m going to jam in every righty in their lineup tonight and they make for strong cash plays when factoring in price.
Written by Ben Hossler (Follow @BenHossler on Twitter)
